A councillor in Omagh has attacked the recent visit to Northern Ireland by a delegation of American businessmen led by Commerce Secretary William Daley as "a public disgrace".

SDLP Councillor Joe Byrne's statement was provoked by what he saw as the delegation's snub to the rural areas of Northern Ireland in favour of the two main cities.

"Public officials should explain why this particular US trade delegation is being taken only to Belfast and Derry," Mr Byrne said. "I believe that the Economy Minister Adam Ingram should explain why towns like Omagh and Strabane have been ignored yet again."

The four-day trade mission, which was designed to reinforce the Belfast Agreement, comprised representatives from 17 American companies, including eight firms in the Fortune 500. Described as one of the most important trade missions ever to visit Northern Ireland, it was seen as being a symbol of the importance of promoting further economic links with the US.